SLC ACADEMY RESPIRATION 1

RESPIRATION
The sum total of all the vital activities is called as metabolism. Vital activies refer to all the
physiochemical activities of a cell. It has two aspects :
(i) Anabolism : It includes metabolic process by which complex cellular compounds are synthesized from
simpler compounds, .e.g. Photosynthesis
(ii) Catabolism : It includes metabolic processes by which larger molecules are broken down into simpler
molecules, e.g. Respiration. Respiration is an important catabolic process responsible for the production
of energy.
Definition:
The process by which assimilated food is oxidized and energy is released is called as respiration. In this
process oxygen from air is taken in, this oxygen reacts with food molecules present in the body cells and
burn them slowly to release energy. This energy is stored in the form of ATP molecules inside the cell for
further use and the waste products i.e. CO2 and H2O are eliminated out of the body.
Food + oxygen ⎯Oxidation
⎯⎯⎯ ⎯→ CO2 + H2O + Energy
It is called as aerobic respiration.
NOTE : The process by which organisms obtain oxygen from environment and release carbon dioxide produced
during oxidation of food to the outer environment is called as breathing. It is a physical process.
Difference Between Breathing and Respiration:
(i) Breathing involves taking in of oxygen and releasing out of carbon dioxide so it is a physical process
while respiration is a biochemical process which, along with breathing involves oxidation of food.
(ii) Breathing involves lungs so it is an organ system level process while respiration besides being at organ
system level, also occurs at cellular level.
(iii) Breathing itself do not release energy while respiration results in the release of energy which is then
stored in from of ATP.
(iv) Breathing is a part of respiration while respiration is not a part of breathing.
Types of Respiration:
Aerobic: When oxidation of food takes place in presence of molecular oxygen.
Glycolysis In presence of O
Food ⎯⎯⎯⎯ ⎯→ Pyruvic acid ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
2
→ 6CO 2 + 6H2 O + 38ATP
Kreb cycle in mitrochndi ra

it is called as aerobic respiration.

(iv) Anaerobic respiration: When oxidation of food material does not require molecular oxygen or it
occurs in absence of molecular oxygen, it is called as anaerobic respiration.

• Respiration in animals takes place as a single unit, the have different types of organs for respiration due
to which mode of respiration also varies according to the organism but the basic mechanism is same.
• From phylum Protozoa to Ctenophore respiration is by generally body surface, in phylum
Plathyelminthes to Nematodes are mostly anaerobic and endoparasites, in phylum Annelida cutanous
membrane occurs and then from phylum Arthropoda till Mammals various respiratory organs were
developed like trachea, gills and lungs.

Type of respiration Organs involved Example

1. Cell surface respiration General body surface Amoeba, Paramecium
2. Tracheal respiration Trachea and tracheoles Insects
3. Branchial respiration Gills Fishes
4. Cutanous respiration Skin Frog
5. Pulmonary respiration Lungs Amphibians reptiles, birds
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Some important characteristics of respiratory organs of animals are :
• They have large surface area to get enough oxygen.
• They have thin walls for easy diffusion and exchange of gases.
• They have rich blood supply for transport of respiratory gases.
Respiration in Amoeba :
In unicellular organisms like amoeba and in some lower multicellular animals likes sponges and
cnidarians, respiration or exchange of gases occurs through general body surface as these cells are in
direct contact with an aquatic environment so the oxygen dissolved in water diffuses into the cell and
brings about oxidation of food, at the same time carbon dioxide released is expelled out of the cell by the
same process.
Respiration in Earthworm
In organisms like earthworm and leech exchange of gases occur through their skin as their skin is very
thin and most. It is rich in blood supply so the oxygen is absorbed by moist skin of earthworm and is
transported to all the cells of body through blood. The carbon dioxide from body cells diffuses into the
blood and expelled out through skin.
Respiration in Fish:
• In fish exchange of gases occurs through gills so the
respiration is said to be branchial.
• Gills are present on both the sides of its head; they are
covered by gill covers.
• During breathing fish takes in water through its mouth and
pass it over the gills, the oxygen present in water extracted by
gills and water is removed out through gill slits. This oxygen
is now absorbed by blood and carried to all parts of the body
and at the same time carbon dioxide is released into the blood and comes back to the gills and is expelled
out into the surrounding water.
7.2 (e) Respiration in Humans :
• Human respiratory tract
(i) External nostrils : First part of respiratory system. It
opens into nasal cavity and is meant for inhalation of air
from outside.
(ii) Nasal cavity : This cavity is separated from oral cavity
by means of a hard and bony palate. It is lined by ciliated
columnar epithelial cells that are rich in mucus; it brings
about warming, moistening and sterilization of air. It
contains hair and mucus which entrap the dust particles.
(iii) Internal nares: Nasal cavity opens into it and it leads
to pharynx.
(iv) Pharynx : It is a common part between both
alimentary canal and respiratory system.
(v) Larynx : It is an enlarged part of trachea which is also called as ‘voice box’. It produces voice by
passage of air between vocal cords. It contains four different types of cartilages among them a ‘c’ shaped
thyroid cartilage protruding out in neck region is called Adam’s apple.
(vi) Trachea : also called wind pipe. It is 10-12 cm long tube. It’s walls are supported by 16 - 20 ‘c’
shaped cartilaginous rings which percent them to collapse when air is absent in them
(vii) Bronchi : Trachea is branched into two bronchi left and right each of which enters into the lungs.

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(viii) Lungs : These are two light weight spongy pouches covered by a membrane called Pleura. Bronchi
are further branched into several bronchioles, at the end of bronchioles alveolar sacs or alveoli are present
which are rich in blood capillaries and thin walled.
(vi) Diaphragm : It is a sheet of muscles that lies below the lungs and separates thoracic cavity from
abdominal cavity.
• Mechanism of breathing : It includes
(i) Inhalation : When air is breathed in, the diaphragm and muscles attached to the ribs contract due to
which there occurs expansion of chest cavity, it results increase in volume of chest cavity thus the air
pressure decreases and air from outside rushes into the lungs and alveolar sacs get filled with air
containing oxygen. The oxygen present in air diffuses into the blood and CO2 from blood diffuse out into
alveolar sac.
(ii) Exchange between blood and tissues : CO2 is taken by blood and O2 diffuses into tissues.
(iii) Exhalation : When air is breathed out the diaphragm and muscles attached to ribs relax, which brings
about contraction in chest cavity, its volume gets reduced and CO2 is pushed out from lungs into the air
through trachea and nostrils.
MACHANISM OF GASEOUS EXCHANGE BETWEEN TISSUES AND BLOOD :
When the air enters into the lungs through nostrils, trachea and
bronchi it enters into the bronchioles, from bronchioles it moves
into thin-walled alveolar sacs or alveoli. Alveoli are rich in blood
capillaries, at this place oxygen from air diffuses into the blood and
reaches to all the cells and tissues of body. This oxygen now diffuses
into the cell and is utilized for the oxidation of food and production
of energy in mitochondria as a result of this carbon dioxide is
produced in cells, due to this increased concentration of CO2, it
diffuses into the blood and is brought back to alveoli and expelled
out of the lungs through trachea and nostrils.

Control of Respiration:
Respiration is controlled by the respiratory centre situated in medulla oblongata of brain.
(i) Breathing occurs involuntarily.(ii) Under normal conditions rate of breathing is 15-18 times per minute. During
vigorous exercise the demand for oxygen increases due to which rate of breathing increases by about 20-25 times.
(iii) The total area for gas exchange covered through 300 million alveoli is about 36-72 m2 in each lung.
(iv) Respiratory quotient: It is defined as the ratio of the volumes of CO2 liberated and O2 used during
respiration.
Some Respiratory Disorders :
• Emphysema : It occurs due to infection, smoking etc. It occurs due to obstructions in bronchioles caused
by breaking of alveolar septa. Bronchodilators and O2 therapy are used, for curing this disease.
• Asthma : Air passages are narrowed and lead to obstruction in breathing
.• Pneumonia : Lymph and mucous accumulate in alveoli and bronchioles. It occurs due to bacterial and viral
infection.
• Bronchitis : Swelling in living membranes of respiratory tract due to excessive smoking.
• Tuberculosis : Bacterial infection in lungs.
• Pleurisy : Inflammation of lung membrane called as pleurisy.
• Sudden contraction of diaphragm along with loud closure of glottis causes Hiccough.
• Sudden and violent expulsion of air through mouth and nose is called a sneezing.

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• Fermentation : the slow decomposition of organic matter into simpler substances in the presence of
enzymes is known as fermentation. This process is used for preparation of alcoholic beverages in
presence of yeast in the absence of oxygen. Glucose and fructose are converted to ethanol by this process.
It is a type of anaerobic respiration.
Difference Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration :
Aerobic Anaerobic
(i) It occurs in all living cells of higher plants. It occurs in bacteria, certain fungi, germinating
seeds and fleshy fruits muscles.
(ii) It requires oxygen. Oxygen in not required
(iii) The end products are CO2 and H2O. The end products are alcohol or lactic acid and
CO2.
(iv) The oxidation of one molecules of glucose The number of ATP molecules produced is only 2.
produces 38 ATP molecules.
(v) All the reactions except the reaction of All the reactions take place in cytoplasm.
glycolysis take place inside mitochondria.
(vi) Organic compounds are completely oxided Organic compounds are incompletely oxidized and
and high amount of energy is released. very small amount of energy is released
(vii) Nontoxic to plants. Toxic to higher plants.

Differences Between Respiration and Photosynthesis :

Respiration Photosynthesis
(i) It is a catabolic process. It is an anabolic process.
(ii) Carbohydrates are oxidized. Carbohydrates are synthesized.
(iii) Energy is liberated in the form of ATP. Light energy is stored in the form of glucose or chemical
(iv) The amount of CO2 in the air increases during energy.
respiration. The amount of CO2 in the air decrease during
(v) It takes place in all the living cells, both green photosynthesis.
and non-green It takes place only in chlorophyllous cells.
(vii) Dry weight of plant decreases. Dry weight of plant increases.
(viii) Oxidative phophorylation occurs Photophosphorylatin occurs.
(ix) O2 is utilized and CO2 and H2O are formed CO2 and H2O are used while O2 is evolved.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6O2 + 6H2O + energy 6CO2 + 12H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O.

Differences Between Respiration and Combustion :

Respiration Combustion
(i) It is a biological process It is a chemical process.
(ii) It takes place at normal temperature. It takes place at high temperature.
(iii) Respiration is a slow process completed I n Combustion is fast process in which the energy is
several steps. Thus, the energy is also liberated in liberated only in one step resulting in increase in
several steps and remains stored in the form of ATP. temperature and production of fire.

Cellular Respiration :
If refers to the oxidation of food taking place inside the cell. As this process is at cellular level so it is
called cellular respiration. It takes place in three steps :
It refers to the oxidation of food taking place inside the cell. As this process is at cellular level so it is
called cellular respiration. It takes place in three in 3 steps :
(i) Glycolysis (ii) Kreb Cycle (iii) Electron Transport System

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Glycolysis :
Glycolysis also called EMP pathway, site-cytoplasm of cell.
(i) In this cycle glucose is converted into pyruvic acid in presence of many enzymes.
(ii) Oxygen in not required during glycolysis.
(iii) 1 molecule of glucose gives rise to 2 molecules of pyruvic acid.
(iv) In this process 4 molecules of ATP are formed among them 2 ATP molecules are utilized thus net
gain of ATP is two molecules.
(v) 2NADP molecules are reduced to 2NADPH2 , which later produces 6ATP molecules.
(vi) Overall production of ATP in glycolysis is 2ATP + 6ATP = 8ATP
(vii) There is no production of CO2 during this process.
NOTE : After glycolysis, pyruvic acid is converted into acetyl Co-A with the release of CO2 and the process is
called as ‘oxidative decarboxylation’. It occurs in mitochondria of the cell. Besides this 6ATP are also formed
during this step.
Kreb Cycle :
Site : Mitochondria of cell
(i) Also called aerobic oxidation.
(iii) Another name TCA cycle (tricarboxylic acid cycle) or Citric acid cycle.
(iv) It brings about the conversion of pyruvic acid, fatty acids, fats and amino acids into CO2 and water
by oxidation.
(v) It is the common path for oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, proteins.
(vi) it accounts for 24ATP molecules.
(vii) It starts with acetyl Co-A which is then converted into several intermediate compounds with the
release of NADPH2, FDH2, ATP, hydrogen atoms and then Acetyl Co-A is regenerated back.
Electron Transport System or ETS :
(i) In this hydrogen atoms produced during oxidation of various intermediates during Kreb cycle are first
broken into protons and electrons.
(ii) These protons and electrons after passing through a series of coenzymes and cytochromes combine
with oxygen to form water molecules.
(iii) During these series of events 1NADPH2 releases 3ATP molecules and 1FADH2 gives 2ATP
molecules which were produces during Krebs cycle and glycolysis.
NOTE : The net gain of ATP molecules during respiration in 38ATP molecules among them,
8ATP from glycolysis, 6ATP from conversion of pyruvic acid into acetyl CO. A
24ATP from Krebs cycle besides this CO2 and H2O are also released.
Some important points :
(i) Diaphragm becomes flat during inspiration and becomes convex during expiration.
(ii) Tidal volume: Volume of air inspired or expired in relaxed position. It is around 500 ml.
(iii) Residual volume: Air left in the whole reparatory tract after forceful expiration. It is 1.5 L.
(iv) Total lung capacity: Maximum amount of air the lungs can hold after forceful inspiration. It is about 5-6.0
liters.
(v) Vital capacity: Maximum amount of air which can be breathed out through forceful expiration after a forceful
inspiration. It is 3.4-4.8 litres.
• Vital Capacity is more in athletes, mountain dwellers, non-smokers.
• In the cycle of inhalation and exhalation, repeated 15 to 18 times in a minutes about 500 ml of air is breathed in
and out. In 24 hours, we breadth in 1500 litres of air.

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• Blood is the medium for the transport of oxygen from the respiratory organ to the different tissues and carbon
dioxide from tissues to the respiratory organs. As much as 97 percent of the oxygen is transported from the lungs
to the tissues in combination with hemoglobin and only 2 percent is transported in dissolved condition by the
plasma.
• A normal person has about 15 grams of hemoglobin per 100 ml of blood. One gram of hemoglobin binds about
1.34 ml of O2. Thus, 100 ml of blood carries about 20 ml of oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide is also transported by hemoglobin. When a respiring tissue release carbon-dioxide, it is first
diffused in the plasma. From here it diffuses into the red blood cells. Carbon-dioxide is transported from the
tissues to the lungs in the form of bicarbonates dissolved in water. About 23% of carbon dioxide entering into the
erythrocytes combines with the globin (protein) part of haemogloin to form carbaminohaemoglobin, which is
transported to the lungs.
• Carbon monoxide binds with hemoglobin about 230 times more readily than oxygen. When a person inhales
carbon monoxide, it diffuses from the alveolar air to the blood and binds to haemoglobin forming
carboxyhemoglobin. The latter is a relatively stable compound and cannot bind with oxygen molecules. So, the
amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport is reduced. The resulting deficiency of oxygen cases
headache, dizziness, nausea and even death.
• Mountain sickness : It is also known as altitude sickness. At sea level the concentration of oxygen is about
21% and the barometric pressure averages 760 mm Hg. As altitude increases, the concentration remains the same
but the number of oxygen molecules per breath is reduced. AT 12,000 feet the barometric pressure is only 483
mm Hg, so there are roughly 40% fewer oxygen molecules per breath. In order to oxygenate the body effectively,
breathing rate (even while at rest) has to be increased. This extra ventilation increases the oxygen content in the
blood, but not sea level concentration. The fall in oxygenation of blood produced the symptoms of mountain
sickness. These symptoms include breathlessness, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mental fatigue and a
bluish tinge on the skin, nails and lips.

Exercise
1. The process of respiration is concerned with
(A) liberation of oxygen (B) liberation of carbon dioxide
(C) liberation of energy (D) intake of oxygen
2. The common immediate source of energy for cellular activity is
(A) NAD (B) ATP (C) DNA (D) RNA
3. If the CO2 concentration in the blood increases, the rate of breathing will
(A) decrease (B) stop (C) increase (D) have no effect
4. Vocal cards occur in
(A) pharynx (B) glottis (C) bronchial tube (D) larynx
5. In man, which of the following structures is analogous to the spiracles of cockroach?
(A) Alveoli (B) Lungs (C) Bronchioles (D) Nostrils
6. Which of the following prevents collapsing of trachea?
(A) Diaphragm (B) Ribs (C) Cartilaginous ring (D) Muscles
7. Which of the following gases makes the most stable combination with the hemoglobin of red blood cells.
(A) CO2 (B) CO (C) O2 (D) N2
8. Volume of air inspired or expired with each normal breath is called
(A) tidal volume (B) inspiratory capacity (C) total lung capacity (D) residual volume
9. Most of the carbon dioxide in the blood is carried in the form of
(A) carbonic acid (B) bicarbonates
(C) carbaminohaemoglobin (D) dissolved CO2
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10. Breathing rate in mammals in controlled by a part of the brain called the
(A) thalamus (B) hypothalamus (C) medulla oblongata(D) cerebellum
11. In anaerobic respiration
(A) O2 is taken in (B) CO2 is taken in (C) O2 is given out (D) CO2 is given out
12. Disease called pleurisy is due to
(A) inflammation of pleura (B) inflammation of trachea
(C) inflammation of alveoli (D) none of these above
13. Leaves respire with the help of
(A) lenticles (B) stomata (C) plasmodesmata (D) cuticle
14. Correct statement is
(A) roots of plant respire through lenticles and stomata.
(B) stem of plant respires through lenticles
(C) both A and B are correct (D) both A and B are incorrect
15. Which of the following is not a characteristic of good respiratory surface ?
(A) Thin and moist (B) Large surface area
(C) Close to oxygen and gas transport (D) Thick and dry surface
16. Respiration in yeast
(A) takes place in the presence of oxygen (B) yields lactic acid and carbon dioxide
(C) in anaerobic and produces carbon dioxide (D) takes place only in darkness
17. Muscle cells engaged in vigorous activity build up a high concentration of
(A) lactic acid (B) pyruvic acid (C) alcohol (D) cholesterol
18. Exchange of respiratory gases takes place in an earthworm through
(A) moist skin (B) gills (C) trachea (D) lungs
19. Oxygen is transported in blood mainly by
(A) leucocytes (B) erythrocytes (C) thrombocytes (D) blood plasma

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
C B C D D C B A B C
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
D A B B D C A A B
Exercise
1. Complete oxidation of glucose in presence of oxygen into CO2 water and energy is called
(a) aerobic respiration (b) anaerobic respiration (c) glycolysis (d) hydrolysis
2. Consider the following statements
1. End product of anaerobic respiration is lactic acid.
2. Asthma is caused due to spasm in bronchial muscles.
3. Mammalian lung have numerous alveoli for increasing surface area for gaseous diffusion.
4. At the time of inspiration, thediaphargm is contract.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1,2 and 3 (b) 2, 3 and 4 (c) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (d) None of these
3. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists.
List I List II
A. Cutaneous 1. Earthworm
B. Pulmonary 2. Human
C. Bronchial 3. Prawn
D. Tracheal 4. Insects Codes

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A B C D A B C D
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 2 3 4 1
(c) 3 4 1 2 (d) 4 1 2 3
4. Study the following statements
1. Glycolysis takes place in cytoplasm.
2. Krebs' cycle takes place in mitochondria.
3. Electron transport chain takes place in mitochondria.
Which of the statements given above are true?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 2 (c) 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3
5. Consider the following statements
1. Fermentation is incomplete oxidation of carbohydrate.
2. The net gain of energy from one gram mole of glucose during aerobic respiration is 38 ATP.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) 1 and 2 (d) None of these
6. Consider the following statements
1. Glycolysis occurs in cytoplasm.
2. Glycolysis does not require oxygen.
3. In anaerobic organisms, only glycolysis occur and that is called fermentation.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct about glycolysis?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) None of these
7. Study the following statements
1. Incomplete breakdown of sugar in anaerobic respiration form alcohol and CO2.
2. In glycolysis, glucose is converted into pyruvic acid.
3. In Krebs' cycle, pyruvic acid is converted into CO2 and H2O.
Which of the statements) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (c) 1 and 2 (d) 1, 2 and 3
8. 1. The energy currency of cell is ATP (Adenocine Triphosphate)
2. Maximum amount of energy (ATP) is liberated on oxidation of fat.
3. Alcohol is a product of anaerobic respiration.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are true?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
9. Which one of the following cell organelles is responsible for cellular respiration?
(a) Endoplasmic reticulum (b) Golgi body
(c) Lysosome (d) Mitochondrion
10. Which of the following prevents collapsing of trachea ?
(a) Diaphragm (b) Ribs (c) Cartilaginous disc (d) Muscles
11. During the process of respiration in human, the exchange of gases takes place in—
(a) Bronchi (b) Alveoli (c) Bronchiole (d) Pleura
12. The buffer action of blood is slightly basic due to the presence of—
(a) HCl & NaCl (b) Cl– & CO3– (c) Cl– & HCO3– (d) HCO3- & H2CO3
13. Accumulation of which one of the following in the muscles of sprinters leads to cramp?
(a) Lactic acid (b) Ethanol (c) Pyruvic acid (d) Glucose

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